Weekend RCMP checkstops planned throughout Kamloops

By Jennifer Stahn

(CHARLOTTE HELSTON /InfoTel Multimedia)

December 03, 2015 - 8:00 PM

KAMLOOPS - As the holiday season ramps up, so do local RCMP efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road.

RCMP, ICBC and the province have partnered to urge drivers to plan ahead instead of driving after enjoying a night out this holiday season. Roadchecks will be set up around the province under the CounterAttack program, and in Kamloops, that will include local RCMP taking part in National Impaired Driving Awareness and Enforcement Day on Friday, Dec. 4.

Cpl. Cheryl Bush says officers will be out Friday night and throughout the holiday season conducting checks in an effort to keep impaired drivers off the road.

“It is through these checkstops that a life can potentially be saved,” Bush says in a media release. “The consequences of impaired driving can be devastating, but with everyone taking some responsibility, we can reduce these tragedies.”

Operation Red Nose is operating in Kamloops during the holiday season again this year and along with the volunteer program, having a designated driver, using public transit or taxi services are options in planning ahead for a safe ride home.

ICBC stats show an average of 86 lives are lost in B.C. every year because of impaired drivers, 29 of those are in the Southern Interior.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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